Fix or repatriate?

[MartynShaw]

We have broken down in France, the garage says the timing belt has gone. Boxer 2017 2.0. Should we get it fixed here or get Green Flag to take it home? We don't have an estimate to fix it but they said it may take a week. TIA

 

[Howard B]

I would get it home & to a garage you trust if you have the option.

 

[GerTee]

If it were me it would depend on how much more of my trip we had left. If you are due to come home in say 2 weeks I'd repatriate. If you had say 6-8 weeks left and you can sleep safely in the van I'd be tempted to get it fixed. There's no right answer, just go with your gut and what you feel is best.

 

[The Wino]

I think the first thing to do is check whether they are prepared to repatriate it if thats what you decide it could be if it's fixable in a reasonable length of time they aren't prepared to repatriate it.

 

[steve69]

If the timing (cam) belt has gone, I would be surprised if there wasn't any more serious damage. I would get a full diagnoses there and then choose your next step.

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[pagey]

You are likely to need a total rebuild or a new engine

 

[MisterB]

Timing belt snap on 2.0HDi 130 DW10FUD 2017 engine in Boxer van - French Car Forum

hopefully the damage is limited as per the above forum ......

 

[Verteuil Man]

As said before. Timing belt gone and the scenario is that the pistons get to know the valves very well which will usually bend the conrods, bend the cam shafts, damage the cylinder head and much, much more. Then engine is just a big paperweight.

 

[MartynShaw]

They are quoting €3500 for a new timing chain and bits, 10 hours labour, camshaft, water pump etc

 

[MartynShaw]

And green flag won't repatriate it because it can be fixed before our return ticket

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[Mzracer]

We have broken down in France, the garage says the timing belt has gone. Boxer 2017 2.0. Should we get it fixed here or get Green Flag to take it home? We don't have an estimate to fix it but they said it may take a week. TIA

Fix it in France.

 

[Brains]

it sounds like a complete replacement (or reconditioning of the existing) engine.
My personal experience is this can take several weeks to get the right parts.

As it's a new'ish vehicle, reconditioned engines from modern crash vehicles should be available.

However finding exactly the right make and model could take a while (although you would have thought easier in France than anywhere else)

or if they chose to send the existing engine off for a full strip down and reconditioning, then I'd guess at a turn around time measured in weeks.

The van is not going anywhere in the next few weeks.
Therefore it's all down to the money.

As France is the home of the Peugeot Boxer, it may be considerably cheaper (and faster) to get it fixed there (as no parts need to be imported to the UK)

My inclination would be to repair in France, but get a verbal quote from your local garage as well, as you never know, he may have a mate with a spare Boxer engine knocking around ...

Either way, you are now going home without the van.
It may mean that one of you has to fly/train it back to France in a few weeks to pick it up.

 

[VXman]

This does make you think as this is the second situation like this recently. With major repairs like this I'm sure most of us would prefer to be repatriated so we can get it fixed at a garage of our choice and one that speaks English.

Are there recovery companies that will gaurantee repatriation should we choose?

 

[TinaLes]

Everyone's worst nightmare cam belt failure, can I ask if it was the original at 6+ years old, or was it changed recently?
I hope the garage can fix it properly for you, and you can carry on with your holiday if enough time left.
Good luck.
LES

 

[Brains]

They are quoting €3500 for a new timing chain and bits, 10 hours labour, camshaft, water pump etc

Is it just me, or does that not sound realistic ?
Have they seen under the bonnet ?

Engine out, full strip down, rebuild and replace, in 10 hours.
I'd have though an F1 pit crew would struggle to match that.

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[VXman]

Fix it in France.

With straight forward repairs I'd agree but a possible engine rebuild?? Too many unknowns, difficult communication, could be an extended time.

 

[gus-lopez]

I would get it home & to a garage you trust if you have the option.

This^^^^^^

If the timing (cam) belt has gone, I would be surprised if there wasn't any more serious damage. I would get a full diagnoses there and then choose your next step.

This^^^^^^

 

[Lenny HB]

They are quoting €3500 for a new timing chain and bits, 10 hours labour, camshaft, water pump etc

Depending on damage which you won't know until the engine is stripped down it could be 3 times that price.
I'd get it back to the UK.

 

[Lenny HB]

And green flag won't repatriate it because it can be fixed before our return ticket

That's a bummer.

 

[Phill D]

I would want some form of warranty on the repair. I would be concerned about any warranty that may come with the repair if it’s with a local garage in France.
If it’s a main dealer then I would check if the work done carries it’s warranty over to the uk.

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[Landy Andy]

They are quoting €3500 for a new timing chain and bits, 10 hours labour, camshaft, water pump etc

If they are guaranteeing a repair for that price I’d get it done. Good price.

 

[Mike800966]

The quoted price really doesnt match with the stated work, unless the price has been jacked up for a tourist, Cam belts are usually well under £700 and I cant think they will check through and repair any engine damage in 10hrs. Cambelt is normally less than a days labour.
How far down into france are you, might you consider private repatriation as per the recent similar thread or would you have complete confidence and warranty from the French Garage?
Best wishes
Mike

 

[jerryz]

Your original post says Timing chain not belt ???? ,,, some engines are not interferance fit so bust belt does not impact piston or cams etc ,, but most do damage a lot of internals

sorry

 

[mitzimad]

If theyhave confirmed its only top end damage it maybe exchange head a cams#

 

[Bartyfixedit]

Has the belt been replaced? Is the belt still within it's own warranty?

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[tinkertaylor]

How do they know your return date, couldn't you purchase or transfer the return ticket for an earlier ticket?

 

[Jev88]

Is it an interference engine or not? Ie could valves have been clattered by pistons when cambelt let go?

 

[Bailey 15]

I know with comfort that repatriation can take 3 weeks, so if you choose that they will get you home and your vehicle will follow in 3 weeks
We were advised to stay with vehicle on our injectors repair which took 5 days due to over weekend
They did pay for lovely 4* hotel thou

 

[Carpmart]

So Googling your engine, it is an interference engine. However, it doesn’t bend valves, damage cam shafts or ruin pistons/rods, it’s most likely to ‘only damage’ some followers.

What this means is that this is not as people on here are suggesting an engine out, replacement needed job, this is easy bolt on work at the top of the engine to replace some cam followers and check other components (like valves etc) the. time everything up, for new belt, maybe water pump if this is advised (you should check this) a precautionary oil and filter change and the job is done!

This makes the price pretty excessive. You know from the quote that the Labour is 10hrs, so you can can calculate that at between 1200 and 1800 Euro, so that’s leaving one hell of a lot on parts….

I would ask them if they are removing the head and checking all valves seat properly, this also gives them the change to clean all the broken cam follower swarf properly. If they are doing this, then the parts price with new head bolts, cam seals, head gasket, water pump, cam kit, auxiliary belt, rocker gasket, oil and filter and other sundries, isn’t actually too bad!

Get the job detailed in writing, then translate exactly what they are doing for the money.

 

[Odd-no-more]

When we had a gearbox problem in France I was determined to get it back home for the repair, no use having a guarantee from a garage 800 miles away.